Real Brownfields Deserve Dollars I
read with interest the story on Brownfield development dollars in the
July 20 issue. I applaud Dan Lathrop and other county commissioners who
voted “No” on the Randolph Street project...

Hopping Mad Carlin
Smith is hopping mad (“Will You Get Mad With Me?” 7-20-15). Somebody
filed a fraudulent return using his identity, and he’s not alone. The AP
estimates the government “pays more than $5 billion annually in
fraudulent tax refunds.” Well, many of us have been
hopping mad for years. This is because the number one tool Congress has
used to fix this problem has been to cut the IRS budget –by $1.2 billion
in the last 5 years...

Just Grumbling, No Solutions Mark
Pontoni’s grumblings [recent Northern Express column] tell us much
about him and virtually nothing about those he chooses to denigrate. We
do learn that Pontoni may be the perfect political candidate. He’s
arrogant, opinionated and obviously dimwitted...

A Racist Symbol I
have to respond to Gordon Lee Dean’s letter claiming that the
confederate battle flag is just a symbol of southern heritage and should
not be banned from state displays. The heritage it represents was the
treasonous effort to continue slavery by seceding from a democratic
nation unwilling to maintain such a consummate evil...

Not So Thanks I
would like to thank the individual who ran into and knocked over my
Triumph motorcycle while it was parked at Lowe’s in TC on Friday the
24th. The $3,000 worth of damage was greatly appreciated. The big dent
in the gas tank under the completely destroyed chrome badge was an
especially nice touch...

Friday Night Lights

HIGH SCHOOL TEAMS TO WATCH

Strap on the pads and helmets and get ready for fall football, northern Michigan style.

Optimism is rampant; as of today, every squad has a chance at playing in the Michigan High School Athletic Association Championship Games set for Nov. 28 and 29 at Detroit’s Ford Field. Here are a few schools, teams and players we have our eyes on this season.

Why watch them: Glen Lake will be running its successful veer offense again this year, though look for “a few wrinkles,” according to coach Angers. After posting back-to-back 9-2 records over the past two years, the Lakers will be challenged in 2014. “This is our hardest schedule in the last 20 years,” says coach Angers. “We start at Frankfort (on Aug. 29) then have Suttons Bay (Sept. 5), then have a big game on Sept. 12 at Grayling, and we’re at Boyne City(Oct. 3). All tough games.”

Why watch them: Hillman returns several players from last year’s squad that was an offensive powerhouse, scoring 58, 55, 48, 48 and 47 points in their victories last year. Coach Koenig is running a pro set offense and expects to keep the scoreboard lit up again in 2014. “Our toughest games look to be Mio (Sept. 26) and Whittemore-Prescott (Oct. 17)” he says.

Why watch them: Last year the young Cardinals started 1-2, then rattled off seven wins in a row before falling to St. Ignace, 2014, in the Division 8 District title game. “We started six sophomores on offense and six on defense in the playoffs,” says second-year coach Joe Smokevitch, who served as an assistant for 15 years. “I expect this year’s team to be even better (than last year’s)…I’ve got some kids who can make plays.” Smokevitch will rely on an array of six different running backs to spark the offense. The Cardinals will be tested in their opener against Mancelona on Aug. 29. The Ironmen won last year’s contest, 28-6. “We’ve got to beat Mancelona and St. Ignace (on Sept. 26),” says Smokevitch. “To win the Ski Valley you’ve got to beat them.”

Why watch them: After winning three of their first five games last year, the Portagers struggled at the end losing four straight.

Onekama suffered growing pains last year with eight sophomores in the starting lineup, some going both ways. Coach Hunter hopes to build on last year’s experience and expects improvement, especially as the season rolls on. “Those sophomores got tons of experience last year,” he says. The Portagers will be seeking revenge when they open the season on Aug. 29 at Suttons Bay. Last year the Norsemen blanked Onekama 21-0 during that four game skid.

Why watch them: The Titans return six starters on defense and five on offense as they take aim on their fourth postseason bid in the last five years. Offensive linemen Jake Cerny, Thiyo Lukusa and Tommy Roush are three potential Division 1 players to watch. Coach Wooers is cautiously optimistic, citing the Titans tough schedule. The big rivalry game with TC Central is Sept. 12, while an Oct. 10 contest against Cadillac could decide the Big North title.